— Decision Notice — Page 1 of 16

Draft Decision Notice and

Finding of No Significant Impact

Soldier Bay Analysis Area

U.S. Forest Service

Compartments 312, 326, and 328

Wakulla Ranger District

APALACHICOLA NATIONAL FOREST

Wakulla County, Florida

DECISION

Based upon my review of the Soldier Bay Environmental Assessment (EA) and supporting

documents, I have decided to implement Alternative B which would:

First or intermediate thinning of approximately 2062 acres of slash and longleaf pine

stands. Stands will be thinned to 40 BA to reduce fuels, open the forest canopy, and

promote the establishment of herbaceous groundcover species.

Conversion of 151 acres of stagnant off-site slash pine plantations to longleaf pine.

Approximately 92 acres will be converted using clearcuts with reserves. All on-site

longleaf pine will be reserved during clearcut operations. Approximately 59 acres will be

converted by underplanting longleaf under existing stagnated slash pine.

Restore groundcover by hand planting or seeding wiregrass on 92 acres.

Conducting fuel reduction treatments on approximately 1434 acres using herbicide and/or

mechanical equipment to promote herbaceous groundcover growth and reduce wildfire

heavy fuels. The herbicides hexazinone, triclopyr, and glyphosate will be used in

combination as needed to reduce woody fuels throughout the stand. The combination of

herbicide would give the Forest Service full flexibility in addressing woody understory

response following timber harvest. If the herbaceous response is favorable herbicide

would not be applied. The hexazinone treatments will be applied on a 6’X6’ spot grid at a

rate of 3 quarts per acre. Triclopyr and glyphosate will be foliar applied. This will not be

a broadcast application of herbicide but rather a targeted spot treatment, as needed.

Site prep of 151 acres using herbicide and/or mechanical equipment using triclopyr,

glyphosate, and/or hexazinone. This will not be a broadcast application of herbicide.

Treatments will be done by application on a 6’X6’ spot grid, strip application, or spot

foliar treatment, as needed.

Planting of 151 acres of longleaf pine seedlings.

o Longleaf seedlings will be released (if needed) mechanically with brush saws

and/or with the herbicide triclopyr.

Restoring eroded soils on temporary roads and log landing where necessary.

— Decision Notice — Page 2 of 16

Reconstruction of FNST trailhead for adequate parking for 3 passenger vehicles parallel

to Forest Road 314 and trail maintenance such as hazard tree removal, mowing, blazing

and signage.

Connected actions necessary to facilitate the proposed action include maintenance of 4.67 miles

of landlines, reconstruction of approximately 13.99 miles of system roads, temporary

improvement and use of approximately 1.0 miles of non-system which provide access to pine

plantations, and the maintenance of approximately 8.11 miles of system roads used to haul

timber products from the analysis area. For duration of the operations, the FNST trail would be

temporarily detoured to follow existing corridors (i.e. forest roads, landlines, utility lines, etc.)

for public health and safety.

If approved, these actions would take place in Compartments 312, 326, and 328 of the Wakulla

Ranger District, Apalachicola National Forest in Liberty, Florida within the next 3-5 years.

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COORDINATION MEASURES Coordination measures were incorporated into the design of the project to reduce the risk of

potential impacts to the physical, biological, and social-economic environments. These measures

include all applicable Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines (USDA, 1999, p. 3.1-3.32),

particularly those described below.

Proposed, Endangered, Threatened and Sensitive (PETS) Species

If modifications are made in the project, or if additional information regarding the effects

of the project on listed species becomes available, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

(USFWS) would be notified and informal consultation would be reinitiated if the USFWS

or the FS determines it is needed.

Contracts would contain penalty clauses to protect white-banded RCW trees.

If possible, temporary roads, log decks, and skid trails would be located outside of active

or inactive RCW clusters (except for skidding timber out of clusters).

Log decks should be located no closer than 200 ft. from RCW cavity trees.

Timber and road contracts will prohibit harvest, hauling, and/or roadwork within active

Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) clusters during the nesting season, April 1 through

July 31. Exceptions will be made for hauling and/or roadwork on major numbered roads

and highways (FS Level 5, 4, 3 Roads). Exceptions will also be made during nesting

season if a biologist determines through direct observation that the cluster is no longer

active, there is not a pair, or the young have fledged before July 31.

WL-11 In all timber sale unit openings clearly mark a 25-foot buffer around the

entrance to every gopher tortoise burrow. Keep heavy equipment out of this buffer zone

during both harvesting and regeneration (USDA 1999b).

Purchasers and contractors will be advised of the possible presence of threatened,

endangered, and sensitive species and will be instructed to avoid harming any wildlife

they encounter, including snakes.

Equipment cleaning measures would be required by contracts to prevent the introduction

of non-native invasive plants.

To protect aquatic species; pesticide application, timber harvesting activities, and road

maintenance will adhere to the standards of Florida’s Silvicultural Best Management

Practices (BMPs). For a detailed discussion of these practices, see the Silviculture BMP

Manual: http://freshfromflorida.s3.amazonaws.com/silvicultural_bmp_manual.pdf

Heritage Resources

HE-1 If any cultural resources are discovered during operations all ground-disturbing

activity will cease. The Forest Archeologist will determine changes to be made to the

project before work resumes (USDA 1999b).

HE-9 Known cultural resource sites will be protected by timber sale contract and no

ground-disturbing activities will occur in these areas, which may include segments of

roads (USDA 1999b).

— Decision Notice — Page 7 of 16

Public Health and Safety

Use herbicides in accordance with registration label. Place herbicide notice signs at

treatment sites. Herbicide notice signs (FSH 7109.11) would be clearly posted, and

would include the application date, the herbicide used, and safe reentry date. Private

lands would not be treated. No herbicide would be applied within 100 feet of private

land. No herbicide would be applied within 100 feet of any public or domestic water

source.

The Pesticide Use Handbook (FSH 2109.14) and the Health and Safety Code Handbook

(FSH 6709.11) would be used as guidance for workers. Workers who apply herbicides

would be trained to ensure minimum impacts and maximum effectiveness. Only those

methods that assure proper application of herbicides would be used. Herbicide

application by contract and/or in-house personnel would be performed by or directly

supervised by the holder of a current Federal Pesticide Applicator’s license following all

current legal application procedures administered by the USDA Forest Service and the

label on the herbicide container.

Soil & Water

WA-1 Adhere to standards of Florida’s Silvicultural Best Management Practices (BMPs).

For a detailed discussion of these practices, see the Silviculture BMP Manual:

http://freshfromflorida.s3.amazonaws.com/silvicultural_bmp_manual.pdf WA-2 Three perennial streams are located within the analysis area (Smith Creek, North

Branch, and Arbor Bush Branch) and drain into the Ochlockonee River. A 35-foot

Special/Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) will be required in the following areas

(LRMP, 3-24): Compartment 312 Stands 11, 15, and 23; Compartment 326 stands 7, 9,

12, 14, 23 and 28; and Compartment 328 Stands 1, 6, 42, and 77. No operation of heavy

equipment will occur during periods when weather and soil conditions will promote

excessive rutting or compaction.

Forest Plan standard WA-6 Restrict soil compacting activities, including logging traffic

when the water table is within 12 inches of the surface, or when soil moisture exceeds the

plastic limits (USDA 1999b).

Vegetation

VG-37 - Control invasive terrestrial and aquatic weeds. Do not apply herbicides within

60 feet of any PETS plant species unless analysis indicate herbicide use is the best way

to protect PETS plants from invasive weeds (USDA 1999b). Contract specifications for

equipment cleaning will be placed in contracts to prevent the introduction of exotic

plants.

VG-18 – Minimize soil-disturbing site preparation in longleaf and slash pine sites. When

disturbance is necessary to achieve the desired future conditions, use methods that

displace no more than 10 percent of the soil surface in the treated area. The objective

should be to maintain the integrity of the native herbaceous vegetation (especially

wiregrass) overtime (USDA 1999b).

Follow guidelines for planning and applying herbicides (USDA 1999a).

— Decision Notice — Page 8 of 16

Visual Quality

VG-15 - To enhance visual quality, require that slash, tops, and logging debris be piled

no more than 2 feet high within 100 feet of levels A and B roads and the congressionally

designated trail. Stands 1, 6, 7, 9, 10, 15, 18, 23, and 27 in compartment 312; stands 1, 2,

7, 17, 18, 19, and 28 in compartment 326; and stands 4, 14, 26, 28, 34, 46, 50, 66, 67, 86,

88, 97, and 302 of compartment 328 meet this criteria.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

This proposal was listed in the Schedule of Proposed Actions for National Forests in Florida

beginning the 4th Quarter of Fiscal Year 2014. Initial scoping was completed in November 2014

by sending a letter and treatment map to the forest scoping list requesting comments on the draft

proposed action and posting of project documents to the National Forests in Florida website. A

30 day notice and comment period was initiated December 14, 2015 with the publishing of a

legal notice in the Tallahassee Democrat. Several comments were received during both scoping

and the notice and comment period. Issues raised included: the type and quantity of herbicides

used, rationale behind underplanting, particulate matter impacts to residents of Tallahassee

during burning, impacts of clearcutting, use of the broad scale 40 BA prescription, and burn

frequency.

During this phase of public involvement the final EA and draft Decision Notice are being posted

to the National Forests in Florida Webpage. The updated EA and draft decision memo are

available by request to this office, or on the internet at http://goo.gl/qtq84G A legal notice

published in the Tallahassee Democrat and will initiate the 45-day Objection Period pursuant to

36 CFR 218. Letters or emails announcing your opportunity to object will be sent to concerned

citizens, adjacent landowners, organizations, and other agencies that have submitted timely,

specific written comments regarding the project during previous comment periods (i.e. scoping

and notice and comment periods). Objections may be mailed electronically, in common digital

format, to objections-southern-florida@fs.fed.us. Issues to be raised in objections must be based

on previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project and attributed

to the objector, unless the issue is based on new information that arose after a designated

opportunity to comment (36 CFR 218.8).

DECISION RATIONALE

The primary purpose of this project is to reduce fuels in the wildland urban interface and to

improve future habitat for threatened and endangered species by: thinning both longleaf and

slash pine stands and applying herbicide to remove understory and midstory woody vegetation to

restore native herbaceous groundcover. Secondary benefits include improved current and future

habitat for PETS species such as the RCW through vegetation management. Given the analysis

area’s proximity to the Bradwell Bay Wilderness and the associated wildfire history, there is a

need to treat overstocked stands with excessive wildfire fuels to protect the surrounding Smith

Creek community. A need also exists to maintain and improve habitat conditions for threatened

and endangered species.

— Decision Notice — Page 9 of 16

Thinning overstocked stands of longleaf and slash pine stands in conjunction with prescribed fire

will open the forest floor to sunlight and promote herbaceous groundcover establishment and

growth. A more herbaceous understory will allow for a shorter return interval for prescribed fire.

These stands will also become healthier and more productive while trending towards future

habitat for the RCW. Alternative A for the Soldier Bay project includes clearcuts with reserves in

four stands that are currently stunted slash pine plantations. I have decided is to prepare the site

with herbicide to control competition from woody vegetation such as gallberry, and then plant

longleaf pine seedlings and wiregrass. This sequence of management activities has been

successful for establishing longleaf pine and is acceptable under both the Forest Plan and the

RCW Recovery Plan. The RCW foraging habitat analysis for the Soldier Bay project BA shows

that that these activities were not likely to adversely affect RCW according to the analysis

guidelines. Underplanting the eastern half of compartment 312 stand 18 will be implemented

under alternative B. Underplanting was determined to be the best option for stand conversion due

to the higher quality groundcover, low crown cover provided by the overstory stunted slash

pines, and clearcut limitations outlined in the RCW recovery plan. Clearcutting the western half

of stand 18 and stand 21 in compartment 312, compartment 312 stand 1, and compartment 326

stand 42 was deemed the optimal method of regeneration for these areas due to higher density of

stunted trees present on the sites.

Supplementing groundcover grasses by planting wiregrass plugs will hasten the recovery of the

groundcover and also help fire spread across the landscape. Harvesting and site preparation

methods proposed to shape the future conditions of these stands have been utilized successfully

in the past by the Forest Service and many other land management practitioners. Herbicide

application will be on a need basis and evaluated after timber harvest. If woody vegetation

occupies the stand following logging operations herbicide will be used. If herbaceous vegetation

becomes established treatment would consist of mechanical mowing/mulching. I believe the

herbicides (Velpar, Hexazinone, and Glyphosate) will give the Forest Service a more diverse

range of potential chemical options.

I selected alternative B because the no-action alternative A would not accomplish the goals and

objectives established in the forest plan and would not meet the purpose and need for action.

Under alternative A, fuel loading issues would continue to persist within close proximity of

private property. The potential of wildfires posing a direct threat to life and property would

remain a high concern. Pine stands would continue to exhibit diminished growth and

groundcover conditions would deteriorate due to canopy closure. Stunted plantations would

continue to trend downward and would not trend toward RCW foraging habitat. I selected

alternative B over the no herbicide alternative (C) because the herbicides hexazinone,

glyphosate, and triclopyr have been used frequently with great success in similar conditions

across this forest. These herbicides work well to control competing vegetation which is the key

to restoring longleaf pine and reducing fuel loading. Mitigation steps will be taken to limit

adverse impacts on water, air, and soil quality. Herbicides will not be applied in times of high

moisture, wind, and temperatures. Mechanical site preparation would expose the landscape to

more potential for soil compaction and erosion whereas chemical application of herbicide would

be far less impactful in regards to soil compaction.

— Decision Notice — Page 10 of 16

The construction of three parallel parking spaces near the FNST will enhance the recreation

experience by providing an additional launch point for hikers looking to explore the Bradwell

Bay Wilderness and/or the analysis area.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The significance of environmental impacts must be considered in terms of context and intensity.

This means that the significance of an action must be analyzed in several contexts such as society

as a whole (human and national), the affected region, the affected interests, and the locality.

Significance varies with the setting of the proposed action. In the case of a site-specific action,

significance usually depends upon the effects in the locale rather than in the world as a whole.

Intensity refers to the severity or degree of impact. (40 CFR 1508.27)

CONTEXT

The Soldier Bay Analysis Area is located on the western portion of the Wakulla Ranger District.

All compartments have common borders with private land and are situated just east of the Smith

Creek Community. The forest has several user groups that pursue dispersed recreation

opportunities within this area. There are several environmental groups that look to the forest as

having pristine model longleaf pine ecosystems. There are also research organizations that utilize

the National Forest for their studies. These groups operate over the whole forest but may or may

not be present where the proposed actions would take place. All of the proposed actions would

take place within the next 3 to 5 years.

INTENSITY

The intensity of effects was considered in terms of the following:

1. Impacts may be both beneficial and adverse. A significant effect may exist even if

the Federal agency believes that, on balance, the effect will be beneficial. Consideration of the intensity of environmental effects is not biased by beneficial effects

of the action.

2. The degree to which the proposed action affects public health or safety. There will be

no significant effects on public health and safety because the proposed actions will utilize

known design standards or be applied according the product labels. (See EA page 66-67)

3. Unique characteristics of the geographic area, such as proximity to historic or

cultural resources, park lands, prime farmlands, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, or

ecologically critical areas. There will be no significant effects on unique characteristics

of the area, because the impacts of the proposed treatments would be limited to the land

within the analysis area. It is unlikely that any affects would be broad enough to affect

the landscape. (See EA pages 68-69 and 73-74)

4. The degree to which the effects on the quality of the human environment are likely

to be highly controversial. The effects on the quality of the human environment are not

likely to be highly controversial. There is no known credible scientific controversy over

— Decision Notice — Page 11 of 16

the impacts of the proposed action. All of the proposed actions have been done before in

similar ground conditions with satisfactory results. (See EA page 23-66)

5. The degree to which the possible effects on the human environment are highly

uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks. The Agency has considerable

experience with actions like the one proposed. The analysis shows the effects are not

uncertain, and do not involve unique or unknown risk. (See EA page 23-66)

6. The degree to which the action may establish a precedent for future actions with

significant effects, or represents a decision in principle about a future consideration. The action is not likely to establish a precedent for future actions with significant effects,

because all of the proposed actions have been utilized several times before.

7. Whether the action is related to other actions with individually insignificant but

cumulatively significant impacts. The cumulative impacts are not significant. The effect

of the proposed actions are limited to the local area and there are no other effects that

would be additive to the effects of the proposed action. Prescribed burning and adjacent

thinning projects serve as the past and future activities identified in most resource area

analysis. (See EA page 23-66)

8. The degree to which the action may adversely affect districts, sites, highways,

structures, or objects listed , or eligible for listing, in the National Register of

Historic Places or may cause loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural, or

historical resources. The action will have no significant adverse effect on districts, sites,

highways, structures, or objects listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of

Historic Places, because all the stands and roads to be treated by a proposed action have

been surveyed by our Forest Archeologist (See EA page 53-54). The action will also not

cause loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural, or historical resources because

any site discovered will be flagged to be avoided during the proposed operations. In

addition all contracts required to carry out the proposed work would have Archeological

protection clauses which would stop the work immediately if a new site is discovered.

(See EA page 68)

9. The degree to which the action may adversely affect an endangered or threatened

species or its habitat that has been determined to be critical under the Endangered

Species Act of 1973. The action will not adversely affect any endangered or threatened

species or its habitat that has been determined to be critical under the Endangered Species

act of 1973. The Biological Assessment determined that implementation of the project is

not likely to adversely affect RCW, indigo snake or frosted flatwoods salamander and

would have no effect on other listed species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

concurred with that determination on March 16, 2016. (See BA and EA page 35-57)

10. Whether the action threatens to violate Federal, State, or local law or requirements

imposed for the protection of the environment. The action will not violate Federal,

State, and local laws or requirements for the protection of the environment. Applicable

laws and regulations were considered in the EA. The action is consistent with the 1999

Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (See EA pages 1-3).

— Decision Notice — Page 12 of 16

After considering the effects of the actions analyzed, in terms of context and intensity, I have

determined that these actions will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human

environment. Therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared.

FINDINGS REQUIRED BY OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS

The decision to implement Alternative B, it is consistent with the intent of the Forest Plan's

forestwide goals and objectives listed on pages 2-3 to 2-7. The project was designed in

conformance with the Forest Plan’s standards and guidelines for vegetation management,

wildlife habitat improvement, heritage resources protection, wildland fire prevention, and road

management.

Pursuant to Sect. 7 policies for interagency consultation under the Endangered Species Act of

1973, a Biological Assessment was prepared and received US Fish and Wildlife Service

concurrence on 03/07/2016.

Pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act and other federal laws protecting cultural

resources, a cultural resource survey was completed and concurrence was received from State

Historic Preservation Office on October 8, 2015.

Clearcutting and planting longleaf pine seedlings has been determined to be the optimum method

for regeneration of stands 18, and 21 of compartment 312; stand 1 of compartment 326; and

stand 42 of compartment 328. Seed tree or shelterwood cuts would not adequately restock the

stands with longleaf due to the lack of mature residual longleaf trees to serve as a seed source.

The stands to be clearcut are slash pine stands that are stunted.

The National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA) states that the Forest Service “shall

insure that, prior to harvest, stands of trees throughout the National Forest System shall generally

have reached the culmination of mean annual increment of growth (CMAI) (calculated on the

basis of cubic measurement or other methods of calculation at the discretion of the Secretary)”

(NFMA 1976). The clearcuts proposed under the Soldier Bay Analysis Area are exempt from

conforming to CMAI standards based on the forestwide goals outlined in the Forest Plan to

“Maintain or, where necessary restore ecosystem composition, structure, and function within the

natural range of variability in all ecosystems, with emphasis on longleaf pine-

wiregrass….”(USDA 1999b pg. 2-3). To accomplish the goals outlined, the Forest Plan has set a

long term objective to “restore all off-site slash pine to appropriate native vegetation” (USDA

1999b pg. 2-5).

Based on the above Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and EA, I determined these

actions will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment, and an

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will not be prepared.

— Decision Notice — Page 13 of 16

CONTACT

For additional information concerning this decision, contact: Branden Tolver:

btolver02@.fs.fed.us or by phone (850) 926-3561 extension 6525.

MARCUS A. BEARD Date

District Ranger

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an

equal opportunity provider and employer.

References

National Forest Managment Act.

USDA. 1999a. Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Revised Land and Resource

Management Plan for the National Forests in Florida.

USDA. 1999b. Revised Land and Resource Management Plan for National Forests in Florida.

— Decision Notice — Page 14 of 16

Appendix A

Proposed Action, Alternative B – Estimated Treatment Acres by Stand Comp Stand Treat.

Acres

Treatment Hexazinone Triclopyr

Glyphosate

Plant

Longleaf

Release

312 1 38 Thin X

312 5 17 Thin

312 6 29 Thin

312 7 55 Thin

312 9 30 Thin X X

312 10 15 Thin X X

312 11 18 Hardwood

Removal

X X

312 15 24 Thin X X

312 18 41 Clearcut X X X X

312 18 59 Underplant X X X X

312 21 12 Clearcut X X X

312 22 46 Thin X X

312 23 57 Thin X X

312 24 18 Thin X X

312 27 62 Thin

326 1 24 Clearcut X X X

326 2 12 Thin

326 7 45 Thin X X

326 8 5 Thin /

Hardwood

Control

X

326 9 25 Thin

326 12 74 Thin/

Hardwood

Control

X

326 14 44 Thin/

Hardwood

Control

X

326 15 9 Thin X X

326 17 22 Thin X X

326 18 47 Thin X X

326 19 88 Thin X X

326 20 14 Thin

326 23 19 Thin X X

326 28 20 Thin

326 30 48 Thin X X

328 1 30 Thin/ X

— Decision Notice — Page 15 of 16

Comp Stand Treat.

Acres

Treatment Hexazinone Triclopyr

Glyphosate

Plant

Longleaf

Release

Hardwood

Control

328 3 54 Hardwood

Control

X

328 4 69 Thin

328 6 6 Thin X X

328 9 150 Thin X X

328 10 125 Thin

328 12 63 Thin/

Hardwood

Control

X

328 13 44 Thin X X

328 14 8 Thin X X

328 15 17 Thin X X

328 16 62 Thin

328 18 6 Thin

328 23 44 Thin X X

328 27 13 Thin X X

328 26 70 Thin

328 28 20 Thin

328 34 10 Thin

328 42 15 Clearcut X X X X

328 43 29 Thin X X

328 45 28 Thin X X

328 46 24 Thin

328 49 28 Thin X X

328 50 16 Thin

328 53 80 Thin X X

328 65 10 Hardwood

Control

X

328 66 35 Hardwood

Control

X

328 67 43 Thin X X

328 81 13 Thin X X

328 86 33 Thin X X

328 87 22 Thin

328 88 23 Thin

328 97 43 Thin

328 99 80 Thin

Totals 2330 377 1149 1137 151 151

— Decision Notice — Page 16 of 16